Spinal Cord Injury
Damage to the spinal cord often results in stillbirth or babies who die soon after delivery due to an inability to breathe.
Ventilation may be life saving but if the lesion is not a temporary neuropraxia there will be later agonising decisions about turning off the ventilator.
Those that survive are weak and often develop spasticity. Diagnosis is MRI or CT myelography. Treatment is supportive.
Caput Succedaneum
Caput is a severe swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp that develops as the baby travels through the birth canal. Some babies have some bruising of the area. The swelling usually disappears in a few days without problems. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction are more likely to have this condition.
Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma is an area of bleeding underneath one of the cranial bones. It often appears several hours after birth as a raised lump on the baby's head. The body resorbs the blood. Depending on the size, most cephalohematomas take two weeks to three months to disappear completely. If the area of bleeding is large, some babies may develop jaundice as the red blood cells break down.
Bruising/forceps marks
Some babies may show signs of bruising on the face or head simply as a result of the trauma of passing though the birth canal and contact with the mother's pelvic bones and tissues. Forceps used with delivery can leave temporary marks or bruises on the baby's face and head. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction may have some scalp bruising or a scalp laceration (cut).
Subconjunctival Haemorrhage
Subconjunctival haemorrhage is the breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby. One or both of the eyes may have a bright red band around the iris. This is very common and does not cause damage to the eyes. The redness is usually absorbed in a week to ten days.
Facial paralysis
During labour or birth, pressure on a baby's face may cause the facial nerve to be injured. This may also occur with the use of forceps for delivery. The injury is often seen when the baby cries. There is no movement on the side of the face with the injury and the eye cannot be closed. If the nerve was only bruised, the paralysis usually improves in a few weeks. If the nerve was torn, surgery may be needed.
Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis
This is not usually apparent at birth. Some time later, irregular, hard, subcutaneous plaques appear with overlying dusky red-purple discoloration. They occur on the extremities, face, trunk or buttocks having been caused by pressure during delivery. There is no treatment and they should resolve but sometimes there is calcification.
Fractures
Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone is the most common fracture during labour and delivery. The clavicle may break when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder or during a breech delivery. The baby with a fractured clavicle rarely moves the arm on the side of the break. However, healing occurs quickly. As new bone forms, a firm lump on the clavicle often develops in the first 10 days. If the fracture is painful, limiting movement of the arm and shoulder with a soft bandage or splint may be helpful.
Laryngeal Nerve Injury
Unilateral paralysis often presents with a hoarse cry or stridor and may affect swallowing. Bilateral damage causes severe respiratory problems. Diagnosis is by laryngoscopy to exclude other causes of the symptoms. Recovery usually occurs after 4 to 6 weeks but can take up to a year.
Making Compensation Claims With Birth Injury Lawyers
As specialist birth injury lawyers we are able to assist you with any issues you may have concerning birth injury and are able to help you make a claim for compensation.
To begin your claim or for more information you can contact us by email info@cerebralpalsy-compensation.co.uk, by calling our freephone number on 0800 987 8881 or by completing our very easy online enquiry form.